Hickenlooper Will Support Bill Limiting Gun Magazine Rounds

DENVER (CBS4) – Gov. John Hickenlooper says he will support Rep. Rhonda Fields’ bill limiting rounds in gun magazines. The governor spoke with CBS4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd about the gun control issue on Tuesday.

Some felt the governor had been going back and forth on this issue. He admitted to Boyd it’s been a hard decision and he has waffled, but now he says if the legislature passes the bill he will sign it — even if it means losing 200 jobs.

Hickenlooper says he does not think the magazine manufacturer Magpul is bluffing when it says it will leave the state if the bill passes.

The governor insisted his decisions on the gun measures are not based on any pressure from Washington. While Vice President Joe Biden has called several state lawmakers, Hickenlooper told Boyd he hasn’t had anyone from the White House contact him.

The Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut influenced the governor’s position.

“You put yourself in the shoes of that principal and resource officer running for their lives and trying to save the kids and what’s in their minds; and him just flipping around and he’s got a 30-shot clip. He’s got two 30-shot clips taped together,” Hickenlooper said. “You’ve got to think, ‘Is the convenience of someone at a target range not having to change their clip quite so often worth the risk to citizens and people in their neighborhoods?’ ”

The governor has not decided if he will sign a bill banning concealed carry on college campuses, and he wouldn’t even comment on a bill being introduced Wednesday that would make gun retailers and manufacturers liable if their weapons are used in a crime.